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Sales packaging labelled with the Trennhinweis e.V. separation instructions is demonstrably disposed of correctly more often than packaging without the symbol. This is the result of a recent online survey by YouGov Deutschland GmbH.
Another result: the majority of respondents would like to see Standardised separation instructions across manufacturers for correct waste separation, which the association offers to distributors of packaging free of charge. The easy-to-understand symbols show consumers at a glance how to dispose of packaging correctly. The aim is to promote correct waste separation in order to keep as many recyclable materials as possible in the cycle.
Packaging for food, cosmetics, cleaning agents and detergents, for example, comes in a wide variety of shapes and materials. It is not always clear how to dispose of the packaging correctly after use. A problem, because dhrough the incorrect disposal of this packaging, many recyclable materials are lost to the cycle. The current online survey of YouGov Germany on behalf of Trennhinweis e.V. makes it clear: If packaging is labelled with the Trennhinweis e.V. separation label, the separation behaviour of consumers already improves after the first observation.
In order to determine the effects of the separation instructions on the separation behaviour, the respondents were three different types of packaging or packaging components, each with (experimental group) and without (control group) a separation notice, are shown as examples and asked how they would dispose of them. Crown corks, an earthenware bottle for drinks and an empty lipstick were deliberately chosen as packaging that consumers tend to find difficult to separate correctly.
The result for all three types of packaging shows that more respondents dispose of this packaging correctly if it is labelled with the separation notice. Only five per cent of respondents would an empty earthenware bottle without a separation mark in the yellow bin or yellow bag throw. However, if the earthenware bottle is labelled with the symbol for correct waste separation, the value improves by 40 percentage points to 45 percent. The result is confirmed by the other packaging examples: Lipstick packaging (up 24 percentage points) and crown corks (up ten percentage points) are also disposed of correctly more often when labelled for separation.
The more information, the better the waste separation
Another challenge is the separation and disposal of packaging made from different materials, which, if disposed of correctly, should be placed in different waste containers. Here too, the survey uses the example of plastic pasta packaging with a paper label to illustrate that the separation instructions from Trennhinweis e.V. provide effective assistance with regard to the correct disposal of individual parts.
As the information content of the separation instructions increases, the separation behaviour also improves: If consumers see In addition to the labelled symbol, an explanatory video about waste separation, two thirds would opt for separate disposal in the yellow bin or yellow bag and in the waste paper - almost 68 per cent more than in the control group (without separation notice and film).
For this reason, Trennhinweis e.V. also offers distributors QR codes in addition to the symbols for correct waste separation, which can also be printed on the packaging. Scanning the QR code takes you to short information videos about waste separation. These not only show where the individual packaging components must be disposed of, but also how.
Symbols for correct waste separation on packaging should be quickly recognisable and easy to understand - for this reason 85 per cent of consumers would like to see standardised separation labels on packaging. By contrast, less than ten per cent are in favour of manufacturers going it alone on this point.
„The YouGov survey not only shows that our sorting instructions provide effective information on the correct disposal of a wide range of packaging, but also that we are meeting the wishes and demands of consumers. Our aim is to establish the separation notices across all manufacturers and throughout Germany in order to inform as many people as possible about correct waste separation - for a more circular economy.“
Dr Alexandra Ranzinger, Chairwoman of the Board of Trennhinweis e.V.
The association believes it is on the right track: companies such as the Müller drugstore chain, Stylex, Grünländer and Netto Marken-Discount are already taking advantage of the free offer.
Source: Trennhinweis e.V.
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